Athens Reporter

The Athens Area Master Gardener Program is set to commence in January 2025. Interested individuals must submit their applications by November 1, 2024. Applications can be submitted via email or physically delivered to the specified address in Bogart, Georgia. The program fee is $250.

Established in 1990, this program offers a comprehensive educational experience focusing on horticulture principles and pest management. Classes are conducted by faculty from the University of Georgia along with other experts. Subjects covered include botany, plant physiology, soils, and various gardening techniques.

Participants will engage in a three-month educational course followed by 50 hours of community volunteer service within the same year to complete their certification. To maintain their status as certified Master Gardeners, they must continue volunteering at least 25 hours annually.

Volunteering opportunities for Master Gardeners are diverse, including activities such as answering queries at the Athens-Clarke County Extension office and participating in local events like farmers markets and plant clinics. Over 160 active Master Gardeners contribute more than 14,000 volunteer hours annually in the Athens area.

The program welcomes adults from Athens and nearby counties who have an interest in horticulture and community service. Applicants need to undergo a background check as part of the application process.

Training sessions are scheduled yearly starting each January on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In even years like 2025, classes are held in the mornings; while odd years feature evening classes. The upcoming class begins on January 7 and concludes on April 8.

For additional details about the broader Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program, interested parties can visit its official website or contact the ACC Extension office directly via phone or email for inquiries.